Southwest Cook County
Mental Health Tune-Ups
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Help raise awareness of the importance of mental health while benefiting from time spent in nature.
Nature IS Accessible!
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Visitors of all abilities are invited to celebrate nature through accessible activities. Drop in.
Ecological Restoration Weekend
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Enjoy the outdoors. Put your muscles to work as you help restore habitat by removing invasive plants. Tools provided. Ages […]
Ecological Restoration Weekend
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Enjoy the outdoors. Put your muscles to work as you help restore habitat by removing invasive plants. Tools provided. Ages […]
Cub Scout Adventure Series
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Programs will address content required to achieve varying levels of nature-related cub scout adventures. Mar 24: Wolf Level Apr 28: […]
Walk and Talk
Spears Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)For curious minds who want to know more about the Forest Preserves, these hikes will be led at a slower […]
Archery
Cherry Hill Woods • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Attend this session to learn the basics of archery. Equipment provided. Ages 10 & up.
Walk with Pride!
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Join us this Pride Month for a self-guided interpretive walk to learn about LGBTQ2S+ people in conservation.
Women’s Wellness
Swallow Cliff Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Join The Do-Good Movement for a yoga class followed by a women’s wellness discussion based around the 31 Days to […]
Creek Survey
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Clean water supports a biodiverse ecosystem. Help us survey Sagawau’s creek to see what life it supports. Ages 12 & […]
Summertime Stories
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for stories told by the Naperville Chinese Storytime group and enjoy nature-based art and activity afterwards. Supplies provided. […]
Nests: Birds Baskets of Life
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439We’ll search for nests and nesting activity. Bring binoculars or borrow ours.nestnes
I am a Scientist
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Ignite your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity as we explore, experiment, and make discoveries in the natural world. Ages […]
Camping & Cooking 101
Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480This 2-hour workshop covers camping and outdoor cooking basics. Camping and cooking gear provided. All ages.
Without Limits: Adventure for All
Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Enjoy climbing and kayaking in this program specially designed for individuals with a primary physical disability or visual impairment.
R.I.P. Stewardship
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us as we Remove Invasive Plants with bow saws or loppers. Tools, gloves and a snack provided. Closed toed shoes and long […]
Sunrise Walk
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for a “before hours” walk to experience the dawning of a new day.
Rocks on the Beach: Great Lakes Geology 101
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Enjoy a presentation that highlights how beachcombing for rocks on the shore of Lake Michigan provides a window into the […]
S.E.N.I.O.R.S.
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Seniors Enjoying Nature Inside/Outside Rain or Shine! Join us for a nature-inspired adventure for seniors. Ages 55 & up.
Nature Open Mic Night
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Perform songs, poetry or enjoy the live performances while overlooking the slough at sunset. All ages.
Learn to Fly Fish: Basics Class
Palos Park Village Green • Palos Park, IL 60464Introductory class on fly fishing. Includes basic casting instruction followed by classroom time to go over gear, rigging, knots, flies […]
MagiCicada Fest
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Celebrate the biggest party in 17 years! Make some noise with Brood XIII as you enjoy scheduled walks, presentations, exhibits, […]
Nature’s Art Box
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Come join us for a nature-based art activity. Ages 3-6 w/adult
Cicada Sensory Walk
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Experience periodic cicadas through sound, sight and touch on a guided walk.
Canceled Bird Banding
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Join us for an evening of tagging and releasing to learn about our birds.
Canceled Solstice & Cicada Walk
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480The time has finally come to celebrate the emergence of the 17-year cicadas! Join us on the summer solstice as […]
Learn to Fly Fish: Basics Class
Palos Park Village Green • Palos Park, IL 60464Introductory class on fly fishing. Includes basic casting instruction followed by classroom time to go over gear, rigging, knots, flies […]
The Unseen Prairie
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Join us for a walk to take a closer look at Sagawau’s tallgrass prairie. Sweep Netting: Saturday, Jun 22 Pollinators: […]
Forest Photography
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Use your camera to observe nature on a guided photography walk. All levels and camera types. Ages 13 & up.
Camping 101: Overnight!
Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480Part workshop, part campout! Learn camping skills, then spend the night.
The Unseen Prairie
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Join us for a walk to take a closer look at Sagawau’s tallgrass prairie. Sweep Netting: Saturday, Jun 22 Pollinators: […]
Cub Scout Adventure Series
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480A nature-related scout adventure will be offered and achieved. Jun 23: Wolf Level Jul 28: Bear Level Aug 25: Webelos […]
Nature Discovery Field Camp
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Children ages 10-11 will explore the outdoors through fishing, birdwatching, insect discovery, treasure hunts and hands-on animal encounters. Snacks included. […]
Walk & Talk Hike
Teason’s Woods • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural […]
Archery
Cherry Hill Woods • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Equipment provided. Ages 10 & up.
Restoration Stewardship Weekend
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Enjoy the fresh air and put your muscles to work as you restore ecosystems. Tools and safety gear provided. Age […]
Ophidiophobia
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Are you afraid of snakes? Overcome your phobia by gaining a healthy understanding of these misunderstood reptiles.
Restoration Stewardship Weekend
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Enjoy the fresh air and put your muscles to work as you restore ecosystems. Tools and safety gear provided. Age […]
Intro to Mountain Biking
Wolf Road Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Learn and practice riding techniques, including body and pedal position, shifting, braking, climbing, descending, and navigating minor obstacles on the […]
I am a Scientist
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Ignite your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity as we explore, experiment, and make discoveries in the natural world. Ages […]
Event Locations
Nearly all Forest Preserves events are free; some require registration and/or a low fee. Residents may qualify for free admission opportunities at our partners: Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Event Categories
- All Events
- Adaptive
- Animal Encounter
- Archery
- Arts & Crafts
- Astronomy
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Camping
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Education
- Film
- Fishing
- Fitness
- Food & Beverage
- Games & Nature Play
- Gardening
- Hiking & Walking
- History & Culture
- Music
- Paddling
- Photography
- Senior
- Storytelling
- Volunteer
- Wellness in the Woods
- Yoga
Events Guide
Printed copies of our quarterly Events Guide are available at our Nature Centers and General Headquarters. They may also be available at your local city hall or library. Know a location that should have our Events Guide? Contact us.
Events Guide (PDF)Nature Express Bus
Get free transportation to the Forest Preserves for your group.
Learn MoreMonthly Newsletter
Sign up for the Forest Way and receive the latest Forest Preserves news, events and volunteer opportunities each month. View past newsletters.
Sign UpEvent Accessibility
The Forest Preserves is committed to providing equal, integrated participation for individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Nature Center hosting your event or program 72 hours in advance to request reasonable accommodations or inquire about site accessibility.
Please contact Experience.Nature@cookcountyil.gov or 708-771-1573 about accommodations for specific camping and outdoor recreation activities.